The National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Library of Medicine (NLM) released a BETA version of a tool to help patients and healthcare providers identify medications via its physical properties (e.g., shape, color, imprint) and provide with FDA content consisting of links to medication information and labeling.

Although this tool is not really ready for full-time, clinical use - as evidenced by the disclaimer and the broken URLs - this has the potential to be a very helpful tool, free of subscription fees.

Lastly, I see projects like these as further evidence that the demand for informatics-trained clinicians will far exceed the supply in the marketplace.

FDA is recommending that healthcare professionals temporarily suspend the use of Rotarix, a vaccine used to prevent rotavirus disease. FDA’s recommendation is a precaution taken while the agency learns more about the situation.

FDA has learned that DNA from porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV1) is present in Rotarix. PCV1 is not known to cause disease in humans. There is no evidence at this time that this finding poses a safety risk. Because available evidence supports the safety of Rotarix, no medical follow-up is needed for patients who have been vaccinated with Rotarix.

There are two licensed vaccines for rotavirus in the United States: RotaTeq and Rotarix. For children who have received one dose of Rotarix, CDC advises that clinicians can complete the series with RotaTeq for the next two doses.

Additional information, including information for healthcare professionals and parents, is provided in the document below.

[03/22/2010 - Update on Rotarix Vaccine¹ - FDA]

    

Important information from the FDA; please disseminate!